More than one hundred members of the UW-Platteville and greater Platteville communities celebrated the official re-opening of Boebel Hall at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 27. The university’s science building underwent a $23.7 million state-funded renovation to improve, expand and update instructional laboratories, preparation and support space, undergraduate research space and a general assignment classroom.
“This stunning building renovation is one of the ways that we can continue to provide our faculty, our staff and our students with the best possible environment to meet their educational and professional needs,” said Chancellor Dennis J. Shields. “When we first started conversations about updating various campus facilities and structures, it was hard to imagine the path that was laid out before us. Now, looking back, it is even more impressive to consider that we were able to work together to complete this project within the context of a global pandemic. Today’s celebration of this $23.7 million renovation project is just one example that is representative of what we can achieve together.”
Chancellor Shields thanked a number of partners both on and off campus who made this project a reality, including Miron Construction, Continuum Architects, and local legislators who were instrumental in gaining approval for the renovation in the 2017-19 state budget – Wisconsin State Senator Howard Marklein and Representatives Travis Tranel and Todd Novak.
The renovations have enabled Boebel Hall to become a state-of-the-art science building that includes a Cadaver Lab, Microbiology Lab, Molecular/Biotechnology Lab, Freshwater Lab and Environmental Science Lab. It was designed to intentionally provide a stimulating, comfortable learning environment for students and faculty to collaborate. Representations of the Driftless Area are incorporated throughout the design in spaces such as the atrium, which features the limestone and sandstone prevalent in the area, along with wood highlights throughout the building.
“Facilities matter,” said Dr. Wayne Weber, dean of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture. “This flagship STEM building not only serves our faculty, staff and students, but as UW-Platteville is a major economic and educational driver in this area, it also serves the community. This renovation of Boebel Hall provides students, faculty and staff a state-of-the-art STEM facility that promotes the hands-on experiential learning that we’re known for. With this renovation, Boebel Hall is a building we can all be proud of.”
In addition to Chancellor Shields and Weber, speakers at the event included Senator Marklein, Representative Tranel, and Student Senate President Kurstin Frey. The ceremony was emceed by Dr. Tammy Evetovich, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Boebel Hall was originally built in 1976 and partially renovated in 2010. It is named after Leo Boebel, who served as dean of Arts and Sciences, a professor of biology, and director of the medical technology program. View a video of before and after footage of the Boebel Hall renovation at https://youtu.be/lK0FoyAI5do.